Nicole Pyles, blogger for World of My Imagination is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

For writing, books, and everything else in my imagination.

16 September 2015

I wanted to like this book a lot. I mean when I saw the words "Paris" and "Bookshop" and then I read what the book was about, I really REALLY wanted to like it.

Before we delve into things, here's what the book was about -

Monsieur Perdu can prescribe the perfect book for a broken heart. But can he fix his own?

Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can’t seem to heal through literature is himself; he’s still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.

After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.

Internationally bestselling and filled with warmth and adventure, The Little Paris Bookshop is a love letter to books, meant for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people’s lives.

First I could tell this was a translation and it made me wonder if I could appreciate the original text better.

Although I liked the idea of Monsieur Perdu's bookshop boat where he cures what ails those who come aboard, I didn't like the character. I'm not too keen on the fact that this character kind of wallows a bit in self-pity. It's a tad annoying. He barely can stand touch from others, and will not let anyone in. I can understand that, of course. But still, the emotion he expresses throughout the book - up until the point I had to stop - didn't draw me closer to him. He pushed away those around him as well as the reader it seems.

Of all the characters I did enjoy, I actually preferred the annoying blocked writer who joins Jean Perdu's trip - much to Perdu's dismay - named Max Jordan. He was the comic relief this book needed and I enjoyed all the scenes he was in.

But tragically the plot didn't captivate me, and about a quarter of the way through the book I couldn't imagine continuing on. I really didn't understand the purpose of Perdu's journey either. I didn't know what he was looking for in his trip on his bookshop boat!

There were a few perks to reading though. Throughout the book were actual references to pieces of literature (through the recommendations that Monsieur Perdu gives his customers) and I kept track of them throughout my time reading the book. I didn't get them all, but I caught some that I listed onto my GoodReads to-read list.

But unfortunately the Little Paris Bookshop fell short with me. I wasn't interested and not really all that connected to the characters or their journey.
I have to admit though, it was an adorable idea, and it did get some great reviews. So try it! Maybe you will enjoy it!

07 September 2015

I am so excited to announce another upcoming Twitter party! This will be with children's author Fiona Ingram and we'll be discussing her latest book, "The Search for the Stone of Excalibur." Join me on September 26th at 12pm PST to chat with the author and win prizes.

Continuing the adventure that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab,
cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second
Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago. This
stone might be embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that
archaeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur. However,
their long-standing enemy, Dr. Khalid, is following them as they travel
to Scotland to investigate an old castle. Little do they know there is
another deadly force, the Eaters of Poison, who have their own mission
to complete. Time is running out as the confluence of the planets draws
closer. Can Justin and Adam find the second Stone of Power and survive?
And why did Aunt Isabel send a girl with them?

Join Justin and Adam as they search not only for the second Stone of
Power, but also for the Scroll of the Ancients, a mysterious document
that holds important clues to the Seven Stones of Power. As their
adventure unfolds, they learn many things and face dangers that make
even their perils in Egypt look tame. And how annoying for them that
their tag-along companion, Kim, seems to have such good ideas when they
are stumped. Book extras include some historical background on King
Arthur, the Dark Ages, warfare and weaponry during Arthur’s time, and
details on Excalibur. A fascinating peek into the life and times of the
real King Arthur, perfect for young time travelers and budding
archaeologists.

I am so excited to talk about this book with Fiona! Do you want to join in the fun? Well, here's the details you need:

When: September 26th, at 12pm PST
Where? Twitter with hashtag #StoneofExcalibur
What? We'll be chatting with the author about her new book, her adventures and travels, and you can join in too! You'll have the chance to ask Fiona Ingram questions as well as win prizes along the way.

Here's what you can win:

A copy of eBooks Secret of the Scarab and Search for the Stone of Excalibur
$10 Amazon Gift Card
A print copy of Book 2: Search for the Stone of ExcaliburPlus there is a $15 Amazon Gift Card Door Prize for a random participant.

All you need to do to make sure you join in on the fun, is register via the RSVP form below (or via the link here).

01 September 2015

I've been working on a poem lately and I notice sometimes with my poetry that it's really easy to get lost in the imagery that I'm using to explain my poem's meaning and it's so easy to lose track of the imagery. Somehow that imagery for ocean contorts and becomes as realistic as a scene out of Inception.

But like grabbing balloons out of the air that I never meant to let go, I try not to forget that the bottle of wine, cups of coffee, and driving in a car that I'm talking about in my latest creation are meant to represent something very specific. As I write, I remind myself, "You know what you're saying with this right?"

Well I just wanted to take a break from the clouds and check in with everyone. What are you working on these days? Anything you want to share? I would love to know. Aside from my latest poem, I'm still working hard on my short story that has been revised many times over but I'm feeling really good about the direction it's headed. Hopefully you're feeling pretty good about the direction your heading these days!